AUTHOR=Gregory Taylor M. , Parker Maryanna , Deresienski Diane , Alarcón-Ruales Daniela , Muñoz-Pérez Juan Pablo , Torres Jorge , Gavilanes Gabriela I. , Lewbart Gregory A. , Páez-Rosas Diego 

TITLE=Evaluating the Possibility of Transfusion Medicine, Through Crossmatching in Juvenile Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.830272

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.830272

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>The Galapagos sea lion (<italic>Zalophus wollebaeki</italic>) is an endemic pinniped to the Galapagos archipelago, and like most wild mammals, is at risk for anemia due to trauma, infectious disease, and poor nutrition. This study evaluated the health status of 26 juvenile Galapagos sea lions on the island of San Cristobal prior to evaluating 100 crossmatch combinations. On evaluation, all but one sea lion had no major systemic abnormalities. Of the 100 crossmatches performed, 23% had minor reactions. The most significant reaction was weak macroscopic agglutination found in 4% of samples. The small percentage of agglutination reactions suggests a small proportion of naturally occurring alloantibodies in this species and may be consistent with a low risk of acute immune-mediated hemolytic transfusion reaction.</p>